North Carolina Returns To Chapel Hill To Host Tulane

After  going on the road to play Davidson Friday  North Carolina returns to the Dean E. Smith Center Sunday afternoon  as they host Tulane who is a member of the American Athletic Conference.

The Tar Heels are 7-1 and return to action on Sunday, Dec. 3rd, when they play host to Tulane at 2 p.m.
• Last year, Carolina opened its national championship season with a 95-75 win over the Green Wave in New Orleans. Justin Jackson (27) and Joel Berry II (23) combined for 50 points and Kennedy Meeks had a game-high 15 rebounds to lead the Tar Heels.
• UNC is coming off an 85-75 win over Davidson in Charlotte. 
• The Green Wave are 6-1. They beat Alcorn State on Nov. 29th after suffering their only loss of the season to George State on Nov. 26th.
• Carolina is ranked 13th by the Associated Press and 11th by the coaches. Tulane is unranked. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-host-tulane-in-sunday-matinee.aspx


CAROLINA-TULANE SERIES
• The Tar Heels are 15-1 against Tulane with wins in the last 13 games.
• Carolina has defeated the Green Wave in each of the last two seasons – 96-72 in Chapel Hill on 12/16/15 and 95-75 in New Orleans on 11/11/16.
• Roy Williams is 2-0 vs. Tulane.GAME EIGHT – UNC 85, DAVIDSON 75
Dec. 1 in Charlotte
• Joel Berry II scored a game-high 27 points and had four assists and only one turnover and Luke Maye posted his fourth double-double of the season with 24 points and a career-high 17 rebounds.
• Carolina grabbed a season-high 54 rebounds, had a rebound margin of 31, and scored a season-high 25 second-chance points.
• It was Carolina's largest rebound margin in a game since out-rebounding Duke by 35 (64-29) in the 2016 regular-season finale in Durham.
• Carolina won its eighth straight game over the Wildcats. UNC has out-rebounded Davidson by 113 in those eight games.
• Carolina out-scored the Wildcats 48-18 in the paint.
• Sophomore Brandon Robinson scored a career-high eight points, all in the first half.
• Freshman Sterling Manley had seven points and four rebounds. He scored six of his points in a key stretch midway through the second half when Carolina pushed its lead into double figures.
• Berry and Maye scored 20-plus points in the same game for the first time.
• It was the sixth time in eight games Maye has scored 20 or more points and the fourth time in Berry's career he scored 25 or more.
• Theo Pinson led UNC with five assists. It was the fifth time in eight games this year and the 25th time in his career he led UNC in assists.
• Berry went 7 for 7 from the free throw line, which matched his best performance from the line without a miss in his career.
• Carolina led by six at the half, then shot 50 percent from the floor in the second half. It was the fourth time in the last six games UNC has made at least half its field goal attempts in the second half.
• Carolina improved to 173-18 in Charlotte, including 12-0 in the Spectrum Center. "according tohttp://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-host-tulane-in-sunday-matinee.aspx


LUKE MAYE
• Junior forward Luke Maye leads Carolina in scoring (20.6), rebounding (10.4), field goals made and attempted (67 for 121), blocks (7) and minutes (31.9).
• Maye is second in the ACC in scoring and rebounding. Duke freshman Marvin Bagley III is first in both categories. Maye and Bagley are the only ACC players averaging 20/10.
• Maye made 10 field goals in 18 attempts against Davidson. It was the fourth time this year he made 10 or more field goals in a game (11 vs. UNI, Arkansas and Michigan). Last year, the entire roster combined to make 10 or more field goals four times in 40 games – Justin Jackson twice and Joel Berry II and Kennedy Meeks one time each. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-host-tulane-in-sunday-matinee.aspx


10 OR MORE FIELD GOALS IN A GAME, 2017-18
Luke Maye– 11 vs.UNI
Luke Maye– 11 vs. Arkansas
Luke Maye– 11 vs. Michigan
Luke Maye– 10 at Davidson

"according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-host-tulane-in-sunday-matinee.aspx


10 OR MORE FIELD GOALS IN A GAME, 2016-17
Joel Berry II– 12 at Clemson
Kennedy Meeks– 11 vs. Oregon
Justin Jackson– 10 vs. Kentucky
Justin Jackson– 10 vs. Virginia Tech "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-host-tulane-in-sunday-matinee.aspx

The Huntersville, N.C., native has scored 20 or more points in six of Carolina's first eight games and has 25 or more points three times.
• He is the first Tar Heel to score 20 points in six of his first eight games since Tyler Hansbrough in 2008-09. 
• Maye has the most points by a Tar Heel in his first eight games since Hansbrough in 2008-09. Maye has 165 points; Hansbrough scored 185 in his first eight games.
• Prior to this season Maye scored in double figures six times with a high of 17 points.
• Maye became the first Tar Heel to score 100 points (106) and grab 50 rebounds (54) in the first five games since Antawn Jamison had 103 points and 55 rebounds in 1996-97.
• He had 28 points, 16 rebounds and five assists against Arkansas on Nov. 24th. He is the first Tar Heel to reach those figures in a game since Mitch Kupchak vs. Mercer in 1976.
• Maye has six career games in which he has 10 or more rebounds. In three of them he has grabbed 15 or more – 17 at Davidson, 16 vs. Arkansas and 15 last year vs. Florida State.
• Maye was selected to the all-tournament team in the Victory bracket at the PK80 Invitational. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-host-tulane-in-sunday-matinee.aspx


FINAL FOUR MOP JOEL BERRY II
• Senior point guard Joel Berry II is second on the team in scoring with a career-high 17.0 points per game.
• Berry broke a bone in his right hand in mid-October and did not play in the season opener against UNI. He returned to practice on Nov. 12 and played 30 minutes in the win over Bucknell on Nov. 15.
• He led all scorers with 27 at Davidson. It was his 15th career 20-point game and fourth with at least 25.
• He made four three-pointers at Davidson, the third time this year and the 14th time in his career he made at least four three-pointers (including the 2016 and 2017 NCAA championship games).
• Berry made five three-pointers and scored 29 points (his second-highest career output) in the win at Stanford on Nov. 20.
• Berry has 1,315 points. He passed Joseph Forte, George Karl and Kevin Madden for 44th in UNC history in scoring.

"according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-host-tulane-in-sunday-matinee.aspx


MOST POINTS – UNC CAREER
41. Rusty Clark – 1,339, 1966-69
42. Pete Brennan – 1,334, 1955-58
43. Al Lifson – 1,322, 1952-55
44. Joel Berry II – 1315, 2014-active
45. Kevin Madden – 1296, 1985-90
46. George Karl – 1293, 1970-73
47. Joseph Forte – 12 according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-host-tulane-in-sunday-matinee.aspx90, 1999-01

• Berry has made 191 three-pointers, ninth most at UNC. Marcus Paige (first) and Jeff Lebo (sixth) are the only Tar Heels with more career threes who played most of their minutes at the point. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-host-tulane-in-sunday-matinee.aspx


MOST THREE-POINTERS  — UNC career
1. Marcus Paige – 299, 2012-16
2. Shammond Williams – 233, 1994-98
3. Wayne Ellington – 229, 2006-09
4. Rashad McCants – 221, 2002-05
4. Donald Williams – 221, 1991-95
6. Jeff Lebo – 211, 1985-89
7. Hubert Davis – 197, 1988-92
8. Dante Calabria – 193, 1992-96
9. Joel Berry II – 191, 2014-active
10. Reggie Bullock – 188, 2010-13

"according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-host-tulane-in-sunday-matinee.aspx

• Berry was the Most Outstanding Player at the 2017 Final Four and the Most Valuable Player at the 2016 ACC Tournament. James Worthy and Berry are the only Tar Heels to win both of those awards.
• Berry is a preseason first-team All-America by ESPN.com, second-team All-America by USA Today and Sporting News' third team selection.
• Berry is on the preseason watch list for the John R. Wooden Award, the Oscar Robertson Award (USBWA Player of the Year) and the Naismith Award (all for National Player of the Year) and the Bob Cousy Award (best point guard). 
• The Apopka, Fla., native also was a preseason first-team All-ACC selection and received the second-most votes for preseason player of the year (tied with Duke's Grayson Allen behind Notre Dame's Bonzie Colson).
• Berry has scored 857 more points than any Tar Heel on the roster (Theo Pinson is second with 458).
• He is the only Tar Heel in history to earn All-Final Four honors twice (2016 and 2017).
• He became the seventh player overall and the first since UCLA's Bill Walton in 1972-73 to score at least 20 points in consecutive national championship games. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-host-tulane-in-sunday-matinee.aspx


THEO
• Senior Theo Pinson leads the Tar Heels in assists (33) and blocked shots (tied with Luke Maye with seven). 
• No Tar Heel has ever led the team in both assists and blocked shots for an entire season. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-host-tulane-in-sunday-matinee.aspx


SMITH CENTER
• The Tulane game is Carolina's 465th in the Dean E. Smith Center. The Tar Heels are 396-68 overall and 196-15 against non-ACC teams. 
• UNC is 201-27 in the Smith Center under Roy Williams."according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-host-tulane-in-sunday-matinee.aspx


RANKINGS
• Carolina is No. 13 in the Nov. 27 Associated Press and No. 11 in the USA Today/Coaches polls.
• Carolina is ranked in the AP poll for the 881st time, most in college basketball history, and the 663rd time in the top 10, second-most behind Kentucky.
• This marks the 55th season (out of 70) the Tar Heels have been ranked in the top 10.
• Carolina was ranked No. 9 in the preseason AP poll. This was the 12th time in Roy Williams' 15 seasons as head coach the Tar Heels entered the year ranked in the top 10. UNC has finished the year in the AP top 10 nine times in Williams' first 14 seasons. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-host-tulane-in-sunday-matinee.aspx


CAMERON JOHNSON ON THE MEND
• Cameron Johnson is out four to six weeks after undergoing surgery on Nov. 15 to repair a torn meniscus.
• Johnson suffered the injury in practice on Nov. 13. He did not play in the season opener against Northern Iowa after spraining his neck in practice on 11/7. 
• He led UNC with 18 points in 16 minutes in the "jamboree" vs. ECU, UNCG and UNCW on Nov. 5 and had 11 in the exhibition against Barton on Oct. 27. 
• Johnson averaged 11.9 points, 4.5 rebounds and 2.3 assists per game last year as a Pitt Panther. He shot 44.7 percent from three-point range.
• Johnson matched his career high with 24 points against the Tar Heels in the Smith Center on 1/31/17. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-host-tulane-in-sunday-matinee.aspx


CAROLINA ON THE ALL-TIME WINS LISTS
• Carolina is second all-time in NCAA winning percentage and third in wins.
• Carolina has won 2,213 games, third behind Kentucky and Kansas. Only four schools have won at least 2,000 games.
• Carolina's winning percentage of .739 is second behind Kentucky. Only five schools have a winning percentage of at least .700.
• Carolina is first in Final Fours with 20.
• Carolina is second in NCAA Tournament appearances with 48.
• Carolina is third in NCAA championships with six.
• Carolina is second in NCAA Tournament games with 168.
• Carolina is second in NCAA Tournament winning percentage at .732.
• Carolina is first in ACC regular-season championships with 31.
• Carolina is first in ACC victories with 672.
• Carolina is second in ACC Tournament wins with 97.
• Carolina is second in ACC Tournament winning percentage at .683.
• Carolina is first in ACC Tournament championship game appearances with 34 and second in titles with 18.
• Carolina is first in NBA first-round draft picks with 49 and third in overall NBA draft picks with 112. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/2/mens-basketball-tar-heels-host-tulane-in-sunday-matinee.aspx

As for North Carolina's last game they won in Charlotte over Davidson by ten points by a score of 85-75.

 Davidson coach Bob McKillop insists nobody recruited Luke Maye harder than he did. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/1/mens-basketball-tar-heels-win-at-davidson-85-75.aspx?path=mbball

In the end, Maye passed up a chance to play for his hometown school and landed at North Carolina, where he is quickly developing into one of the nation's top players. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/1/mens-basketball-tar-heels-win-at-davidson-85-75.aspx?path=mbball

Joel Berry II had 27 points, Maye had 24 points and a career-high 17 rebounds and No. 13 North Carolina defeated Davidson 85-75 on Friday night. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/1/mens-basketball-tar-heels-win-at-davidson-85-75.aspx?path=mbball

"I spent more time recruiting that young man than a lot of players," McKillop said. "I thought he could have been a star for us, and he's clearly a star for North Carolina. He's sensational and I'm very happy for him." "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/1/mens-basketball-tar-heels-win-at-davidson-85-75.aspx?path=mbball

Maye grew up in Huntersville, North Carolina, a 10-minute drive up Interstate-77 to Davidson. He and his three brothers regularly attended McKillop's summer basketball camps. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/1/mens-basketball-tar-heels-win-at-davidson-85-75.aspx?path=mbball

However, he eventually signed with North Carolina, where his father Mark played football."according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/1/mens-basketball-tar-heels-win-at-davidson-85-75.aspx?path=mbball

"Coach McKillop was unbelievable and treated me and my family with the most respect anybody could have had," Maye said. "It has been a place that I could call home for a long time. But I felt like I had a better opportunity to reach my goals coming to this program. I look back sometimes and wonder what would have happened, but I have no regrets. I still have tremendous respect for Davidson's program." "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/1/mens-basketball-tar-heels-win-at-davidson-85-75.aspx?path=mbball

North Carolina coach Roy Williams said the biggest advice he gave to Maye's father during the recruiting process was "don't settle. Luke is going to be special." "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/1/mens-basketball-tar-heels-win-at-davidson-85-75.aspx?path=mbball

He keeps on showing it. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/1/mens-basketball-tar-heels-win-at-davidson-85-75.aspx?path=mbball

Maye was 10 of 18 from the field and helped the Tar Heels (7-1) dominate the Wildcats on the boards, 54-23. It was Maye's fourth double-double of the season and second time this season he's reached that mark in the first half. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/1/mens-basketball-tar-heels-win-at-davidson-85-75.aspx?path=mbball

Davidson (3-3) was led by 22 points and seven rebounds from Peyton Aldridge. Jon Axel Gudmundsson had 19 points and Kellan Grady 18 in the loss. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/1/mens-basketball-tar-heels-win-at-davidson-85-75.aspx?path=mbball

The Tar Heels blew open a four-point game midway through the second half with an 11-1 run led by Sterling Manley and Theo Pinson. Manley scored on an and-one on a nifty move in the low post and followed with another short jumper. Pinson then gave the Tar Heels their first double-digit lead with two strong driving left-handed layups, including an and-one, to push the lead to 14. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/1/mens-basketball-tar-heels-win-at-davidson-85-75.aspx?path=mbball

Maye added two put backs on the offensive glass, including a dunk that brought the crowd to its feet, to push the lead to 18. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/1/mens-basketball-tar-heels-win-at-davidson-85-75.aspx?path=mbball

"They really killed us on the offensive glass," Aldridge said. "Every time they missed it seemed like they were right there to get the rebound."
Davidson stayed with North Carolina for the entire first half, leading in the early going and never trailing by more than six points. Berry gave the Tar Heels a 43-37 lead heading into the locker room after scoring on a drive and then burying a 3-pointer from the right wing. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/1/mens-basketball-tar-heels-win-at-davidson-85-75.aspx?path=mbball


BIG PICTURE
North Carolina: The Tar Heels took an early punch from Davidson falling behind by seven, but didn't panic and methodically wore down the less talented, but scrappy Wildcats with tireless work on the glass. They are playing through the soft part of their schedule now with upcoming games against Tulane, Western Carolina, Tennessee and Wofford.
Davidson: This was a solid effort for the Wildcats, who figure to be a contender in the Atlantic 10 this season. They were able to get open shots against the defending national champs with their motion offense and showed plenty of heart. Williams was forced to play his starters until the final minute of the game before emptying the bench. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/1/mens-basketball-tar-heels-win-at-davidson-85-75.aspx?path=mbball


SECOND-CHANCE POINTS: The Tar Heels really won the game on the glass. They had 19 offensive rebounds and outscored the Wildcats 25-5 on second-chance points.
"Their quickness to the ball, break on the ball — that was a big part of it," McKillop said of the Tar Heels. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/1/mens-basketball-tar-heels-win-at-davidson-85-75.aspx?path=mbball


ROBINSON CHIPS IN: Williams was excited about the contribution of Brandon Robinson, who had a season-high eight points — all in the first half. Manley finished with seven points and four rebounds.
"Brandon Robinson gave us a big-time lift in the first half and Sterling gave us a big lift in the second," Williams said. "We need that from our bench." "according http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/1/mens-basketball-tar-heels-win-at-davidson-85-75.aspx?path=mbball


GRAY BEARDS: There was a lot of gray hair flowing when Williams and McKillop shook hands before the game at midcourt. McKillop joked to Williams that "it's a good thing (Bobby) Cremins wasn't refereeingNorth Carolina's last game, they defeated Davidson in Charlotte Friday. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/1/mens-basketball-tar-heels-win-at-davidson-85-75.aspx?path=mbball

Like North Carolina Tulane is also coming off a win as they beat Alcorn State who is a member of the Southwestern  Athletic Conference.

Cameron Reynolds scored a season-high 28 points and eclipsed 1,000 for his career as the Tulane men's basketball team  sunk 14 3-pointers to defeat Alcorn State, 81-65, in non-conference action Wednesday evening at Avron B. Fogelman Arena in the Devlin Fieldhouse. "according to http://tulanegreenwave.com/news/2017/11/29/reynolds-scores-28-points-surpasses-1-000-for-career-in-mens-basketballs-81-65-victory.aspx

Reynolds matched a career-high with seven 3-pointers made which also rank as the second most in a single game in program history. He also contributed five rebounds, three assists and a game-high three blocks. "according to http://tulanegreenwave.com/news/2017/11/29/reynolds-scores-28-points-surpasses-1-000-for-career-in-mens-basketballs-81-65-victory.aspx

Samir Sehic shot 5-or-6 with 15 points, six rebounds and three assists off the bench for Tulane (6-1), while Melvin Frazier added 11 points. Ray Ona Embo also reached double-figures with 10 points, as Jordan Cornish compiled nine points, eight rebounds and led all players with five assists. "according to http://tulanegreenwave.com/news/2017/11/29/reynolds-scores-28-points-surpasses-1-000-for-career-in-mens-basketballs-81-65-victory.aspx

The Green Wave's 14 treys tied for the third most in a game in school history and were the most since the program standard of 16 was set at UCF in January of 2015. "according to http://tulanegreenwave.com/news/2017/11/29/reynolds-scores-28-points-surpasses-1-000-for-career-in-mens-basketballs-81-65-victory.aspx

A.J. Mosby led Alcorn State (1-7) with 19 points and eight boards. "according to http://tulanegreenwave.com/news/2017/11/29/reynolds-scores-28-points-surpasses-1-000-for-career-in-mens-basketballs-81-65-victory.aspx

Tulane fell behind, 8-3, in the early going, but punched back with a 9-2 scoring run to take its first lead of the game, 12-10, on a 3-point play by Reynolds at the 13:58 mark. "according to http://tulanegreenwave.com/news/2017/11/29/reynolds-scores-28-points-surpasses-1-000-for-career-in-mens-basketballs-81-65-victory.aspx

An injury to Alcorn State's Reginald Johnson with 13:33 to go stopped the game for approximately 10 minutes, as the Green Wave used a 20-0 run once played resumed to open up a 32-11 advantage with 5:51 to play. "according to http://tulanegreenwave.com/news/2017/11/29/reynolds-scores-28-points-surpasses-1-000-for-career-in-mens-basketballs-81-65-victory.aspx

Fouled on a 3-point attempt with 4:54 remaining in the period, Reynolds knocked down a pair of free throws to score career points No. 1,000 and 1,0001 to push the Green Wave's lead to 34-14. The Braves were able to cut their deficit to as few as 13 points three times, the final time coming on a second chance layup with one second remaining, as Tulane took a 42-29 lead into the locker room at halftime. "according to http://tulanegreenwave.com/news/2017/11/29/reynolds-scores-28-points-surpasses-1-000-for-career-in-mens-basketballs-81-65-victory.aspx

The Green Wave shot 12-for-27 (.444) from the field, 6-for-13 (.462) from 3-point range and 12-for-14 (.857) at the free throw line in the first half, while Alcorn State went 11-for-32 (.344) from the floor, 6-for-18 (.333) beyond the arc and made one of two attempts at the foul stripe. "according to http://tulanegreenwave.com/news/2017/11/29/reynolds-scores-28-points-surpasses-1-000-for-career-in-mens-basketballs-81-65-victory.aspx

Tulane used hot shooting to begin the 2nd half, making six of its first nine shots from the field, including three 3-pointers, to build a 59-38 margin with 14:47 remaining in the game."according to http://tulanegreenwave.com/news/2017/11/29/reynolds-scores-28-points-surpasses-1-000-for-career-in-mens-basketballs-81-65-victory.aspx

Despite trailing by as many as 23 points, the Braves crept within just 13 points with just over four minutes remaining, but the Green Wave's 50 percent shooting performance from the floor and eight 3-pointers in the second half proved to be too much in closing out the 16-point victory. "according to http://tulanegreenwave.com/news/2017/11/29/reynolds-scores-28-points-surpasses-1-000-for-career-in-mens-basketballs-81-65-victory.aspx

Tulane finished the night shooting 25-for-53 (.472) overall and 14-for-31 (.452) beyond the arc while making 17 of 24 (.708) free throws. Alcorn State went 25-for-64 (.391) from the floor and 11-for-33 (.333) from outside while going 4-for-6 (.667) at the stripe. "according to http://tulanegreenwave.com/news/2017/11/29/reynolds-scores-28-points-surpasses-1-000-for-career-in-mens-basketballs-81-65-victory.aspx

Tip-off is set for 2:00pm. The game will be televised on ESPN2. "according to http://www.goheels.com/news/2017/12/1/mens-basketball-tar-heels-win-at-davidson-85-75.aspx?path=mbball